Power restored to Fayette Street, Conshochocken, after underground fire

By
Oscar Gamble, The Times Herald

Thursday, February 6, 2014

CONSHOHOCKEN — Elevated carbon monoxide levels created by an underground electrical fire caused the partial evacuation of the 100 block of Fayette Street Wednesday afternoon. Police and fire officials expected the full power restoration on Fayette Street sometime Thursday.

The Conshohocken fire and police departments responded to a call about smoke emanating from 121 Fayette at 1:20 p.m. The investigation at the scene determined that the smoke was coming from a fire caused by a breakdown of underground power lines.

The building’s power was turned off, but the fire created increased CO levels in the buildings on the east side of the street and prompted emergency personnel to evacuate the buildings and ventilate the gas.

Power was turned off on the west side of the street after the excavation crew arrived. The crew began to drill at about 8 p.m., and the street remained closed until it could be confirmed that the carbon monoxide was cleared.

Emergency response crews put out the fire and repaired service wires by 10:30 p.m. according to Conshohocken Fire Marshal Robert Zinni. As of Thursday morning, however, the power remained out, and tenants were unable to return to their apartments and businesses until PECO was able to safety-test and reenergize the repaired lines.

The Washington Fire Company and Conshohocken Fire Company No. 2 were on the scene, assisted by the Swedesburg Volunteer Fire Company, the Swedeland Fire Company, the Spring Mill Fire Company, the Lincoln Fire Department, Plymouth Fire Company and the George Clay Fire Company.

The Union Fire Association and the Ardmore Fire Department took over emergency response for the Conshohocken companies while they were engaged on Fayette Street.

All but two buildings on both sides of Fayette Street were affected. Five restaurants, three mercantile businesses and 20 residents had to be evacuated. The unaffected buildings are on an adjacent electrical grid.